Software:Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness

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Short description: 2005 video game

Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness
North American cover art featuring Shadow Lugia
Developer(s)Genius Sonority
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Manabu Yamana
Producer(s)
  • Gakuji Nomoto
  • Hiroyuki Jinnai
  • Hiroaki Tsuru
Designer(s)
  • Sui Hotate
  • Ryota Aomi
  • Kōji Ōno
  • Koichi Iwata
  • Kuniko Kobashi
  • Chiharu Sugaya
Programmer(s)
  • Teruhito Yamaki
  • Akihiro Yoshida
Artist(s)Shinichi Hiromoto
Writer(s)Kazunori Orio
Composer(s)Tsukasa Tawada
SeriesPokémon
Platform(s)GameCube
Release
  • JP: August 4, 2005
  • NA: October 3, 2005
  • AU: November 10, 2005
  • EU: November 18, 2005
Genre(s)Monster tamer
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Script error: The function "nihongo_foot" does not exist. is a role-playing video game in the Pokémon series developed by Genius Sonority and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.[1][2] It was released for the GameCube on August 4, 2005, in Japan; October 3, 2005, in North America; November 10, 2005, in Australia; and November 18, 2005, in Europe.[2][3] Pokémon XD is the successor to the GameCube title Pokémon Colosseum and takes place in Orre, the setting of Pokémon Colosseum's adventure mode.[1][4] All of the Game Boy Advance Pokémon games can connect to this game through trading and Battle Mode.[5][6]

Pokémon XD was first announced in March 2005 as a new GameCube game and not a sequel to Colosseum, though later developments as well as two promotional demo versions confirmed the game would be similar to its predecessor.[7][8][9] Shadow Pokémon, first introduced in Colosseum, are a major gameplay element, and a Shadow Lugia is featured on the game's box art.[10][6] Munchlax and Bonsly, two Pokémon formally introduced in the fourth generation of the main series, appear in Pokémon XD before the release of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.[11]

The game garnered mixed reviews among critics, with common criticisms being directed at similarities to and re-used assets from Colosseum.[12][13][4][14] Commercially Pokémon XD was a success, selling more than 1 million copies since its release.[15] Pokémon XD was reissued on the Nintendo Switch 2 through the Nintendo Classics service in March 2026.[16][17]

Gameplay

See also: Gameplay of Pokémon
In the new "Purify Chamber" mode, the player arranges purified Pokémon around a Shadow Pokémon to purify the latter. Ideally, four purified Pokémon would be arranged in a clockwise fashion so that each would have a type advantage over the next. This would fill the "tempo" gauge and allow for most efficient purification.

The main focus of the game, like its predecessor, is to fight and capture Shadow Pokémon. Shadow Pokémon are captured using the Snag Machine, identically to Pokémon Colosseum. There are 83 different Shadow Pokémon to collect.[11][18] Shadow Pokémon come with Shadow-type moves, which, unlike moves of other types before the physical-special split in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, can be physical or special. These moves are strong against non-Shadow Pokémon, but weak against other Shadows.[11][18] If the player fails to catch a Shadow Pokémon, there is a second chance available: at random points throughout the game, Miror B., an antagonist from the previous game, will appear with Shadow Pokémon that the player was not able to catch.[11] Once a Shadow Pokémon is captured, the player needs to purify it. There are two different ways of purifying Pokémon: using the Purification Chamber, and carrying the Pokémon in the party until it can be purified.[5][4]

The Purification Chamber contains nine sets, each of which places one Shadow Pokémon in the center of a ring of up to four purified Pokémon. The arrangement's type relationships increase its tempo and flow, allowing several Shadow Pokémon to be purified in the background while the player continues the story.[5][4][6] Most trainer battles are double battles, and the additional Shadow moves include attacks, status moves, and effects that can target both opponents.[5][18]

Pokémon XD also introduces "Poké Spots", where wild Pokémon may be captured after luring them there with bait, as well as two battle-style attractions hosted at Realgam Tower: Battle SIMs, in which the player uses a pre-set Pokémon team in a puzzle-like battle challenge; and Battle Bingo, in which the player battles and captures Pokémon to strategically fill out a bingo card.[4][11][6] Also featured is a multiplayer "Battle Mode" in which multiple players can battle with one another using Pokémon from Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire, Pokémon Emerald, and Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen.[5][6][1] Trading with the Game Boy Advance games becomes available after the story mode has been completed.[5]

Story

See also: List of Pokémon characters and List of Pokémon

The story begins five years after the events of Pokémon Colosseum. Cipher, the criminal syndicate responsible for creating and distributing Shadow Pokémon, uses a black Shadow Lugia, designated XD001, to seize the S.S. Libra, a cargo ship transporting Pokémon.[19][6] The player character, named Michael by default, lives at the Pokémon HQ Lab, where the inventor Professor Krane and Michael's mother, Lily, are researching a way to reverse the process that closes a Pokémon's heart. Krane tasks Michael with testing the Snag Machine, a device used to capture other trainers' Pokémon, together with an Aura Reader that identifies Shadow Pokémon. Krane is also developing the Purification Chamber, which can restore captured Shadow Pokémon to normal.[11][20][19]

While Michael is testing the Snag Machine, Cipher agents attack the laboratory and kidnap Krane in an effort to stop the Purification Chamber's development. Michael snags a Shadow Pokémon from the attackers and follows them to Cipher's research facility. He defeats Cipher administrator Lovrina and rescues Krane, but learns that Cipher believes XD001 has been engineered so completely that it can never be purified. After returning to the laboratory, Krane and his staff finish the Purification Chamber, while Michael begins travelling around the Orre region, retaking and purifying Shadow Pokémon from Cipher agents and investigating the syndicate's renewed operations.[11][18]

Michael discovers that Cipher has infiltrated Phenac City, replacing its officials and residents with disguised agents. He defeats administrator Snattle and frees the city. Information gathered in Phenac City and Pyrite Town leads him to Cipher's Key Lair, where administrator Gorigan oversees the mass production and distribution of Shadow Pokémon. Michael shuts down the facility, but learns that Cipher's leadership and XD001 are based on the isolated Citadark Isle.[11] During his journey, Michael repeatedly encounters a wealthy benefactor known as Mr. Verich and Verich's bodyguards, Ardos and Eldes. Mr. Verich is eventually revealed as Greevil, the Grand Master of Cipher, while Ardos and Eldes are revealed to be his sons and senior Cipher administrators.[11]

Michael travels to Citadark Isle and defeats Cipher's administrators before confronting Greevil. Greevil unleashes XD001, but Michael overcomes and captures the Shadow Lugia and then defeats Greevil, whose team consists entirely of Shadow Pokémon. Ardos urges his father to destroy Citadark Isle rather than allow Cipher to be defeated. Eldes refuses, arguing that doing so would kill the island's people and Pokémon, and persuades Greevil to disband Cipher and surrender. Ardos rejects the decision and swears vengeance against Michael.[11] XD001 can subsequently be purified by maximizing the tempo of all nine sets in the Purification Chamber, disproving Cipher's claim that it was permanently corrupted.[11][4]

Development and marketing

In March 2005, Nintendo of America executive Reggie Fils-Aimé said that Pokémon XD would be a new GameCube game, but not a sequel to Colosseum. He said that the gameplay would be more similar to the Game Boy Advance role-playing video games Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire.[7] Despite that description, later previews consistently identified the game as following the setting, mechanics, and story framework established by Colosseum.[8][19]

The game's credits identify Manabu Yamana as director; Gakuji Nomoto, Hiroyuki Jinnai, and Hiroaki Tsuru as producers; Kazunori Orio as writer; Shinichi Hiromoto as art director; and Tsukasa Tawada as music director.[21] The game was developed by Genius Sonority and classified in Australia in August 2005, with Manabu Yamana listed as developer and Nintendo Australia as the applicant.[22]

Japanese gaming magazines Famitsu and CoroCoro Comic later gave screenshots and information that revealed that the game would have 3D graphics similar to those of its predecessor, Pokémon Colosseum. It was also revealed that the game would continue the inclusion of Shadow Pokémon and snagging from Colosseum. Nothing of the plot was revealed, other than the fact that a black Shadow Lugia was said to play a large part in the story. It was also revealed that the player starts with an Eevee, and that the levels progress more closely to the main handheld series.[10][23][8] Nintendo displayed a playable version at the 2005 Electronic Entertainment Expo, where the demonstration showed the Aura Reader, Shadow moves, the Snag Machine, and the game's double-battle format.[9]

Nintendo released two demos to promote the game. In the demo released to retail stores, the player goes through two battles where the player can snag three Shadow Pokémon.[24] The second demo was playable on the "Pokémon Rocks America" tour.[25] Beginning August 28, North American customers who pre-ordered the game received a blue vinyl GameCube skin bearing the Pokémon XD logo and several Pokémon.[26] Nintendo later sold a North American bundle containing the game, a platinum GameCube, and a limited-edition Pokémon XD faceplate for $99.99.[27]

The game features two Pokémon officially introduced in Pokémon Diamond and Pearl, released after Pokémon XD: Munchlax and Bonsly.[11] Munchlax appears at the Poké Spots, while Bonsly is used in a Battle Bingo card and appears in a side quest.[11]

Nintendo Classics re-release

Nintendo announced in February 2026 that Pokémon XD would be added to the Nintendo GameCube library for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscribers using Nintendo Switch 2.[28] It became available in North America on March 17, 2026, and in Japan on March 18.[16][29] The re-release does not support transferring Pokémon from Game Boy Advance titles, a feature included in the original GameCube version.[16]

Reception

Reception
Aggregate scores
AggregatorScore
GameRankings66.91%[30]
Metacritic64/100[12]
Review scores
PublicationScore
Eurogamer4/10[36]
G43/5[35]
Game Informer5.75/10[33]
GameSpot6.9/10[4]
GameSpy3/5[14]
GamesRadar+3.5/5[32]
IGN6.8/10[13]
NGC Magazine86%[34]
Nintendo Power85%[31]

Pokémon XD received mixed reviews, usually scoring 6–7 out of 10, although NGC Magazine awarded it 86%.[30][12][34] Reviewers generally agreed that the game retained the core battle system and structure of Colosseum, while differing over whether its mechanical additions and longer story were sufficient improvements.[4][14][36]

The game was commonly criticized for having a large amount of recycled material from the earlier Pokémon Colosseum. This recycled material includes a number of reused areas, some recycled graphics and a modified engine.[13][14][36] GameSpot commented that "not much has changed since the original", although it praised the longer single-player story and the Purification Chamber for making the purification process less laborious.[4] The reviewer also found the later battles lengthy and criticized the restriction that generally allowed only Shadow Pokémon to be caught.[4]

Another common complaint was that the Poké Spot areas were very limited and small compared to Ruby and Sapphire.[4][37][36] GameSpy argued that the Shadow Pokémon system restricted the player's freedom to construct a party and that the location-selection map made Orre feel disconnected, but acknowledged the lengthy quest, the established battle system, and the four-player versus mode.[37] Eurogamer similarly considered the game too close to Colosseum, but praised its introductory cinematic, colorful presentation, three-dimensional Pokémon models, and attack animations.[36]

While discussing the mixed quality of the Pokémon console games, Retronauts recalled it as an example.[38] GamePro magazine gave the game a mixed review, criticizing the gameplay as monotonous and lacking challenge. It also felt the game "doesn't have the pizazz for mature audiences", but praised the flashy visual presentation of the Pokémon and their attacks, concluding, “Gale of Darkness is not a terminally unplayable game by any stretch of the definition, but gamers are going to really have to love Pokémon in order to find gratification here.”[39]

In a 2026 retrospective written after the Nintendo Classics re-release, Ben Love of RPGFan praised the use of double battles throughout the campaign, the greater variety of Shadow moves, the Purification Chamber, the setting, and the game's presentation. He considered it more approachable than Colosseum, but criticized the slow pace of some battles, the uneven age of the Pokémon models, and the story's reliance on the earlier game.[18]

Like its predecessor, Pokémon XD was a commercial success, selling over 1 million units as of March 31, 2006.[15]

Notes

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness". Nintendo. https://www.nintendo.com/en-gb/Games/Nintendo-GameCube/Pokemon-XD-Gale-of-Darkness-268588.html. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Releases". https://www.mobygames.com/game/19895/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness/releases/. 
  3. ↑ "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness". https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/game/1483/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-gamecube. 
  4. ↑ 4.00 4.01 4.02 4.03 4.04 4.05 4.06 4.07 4.08 4.09 4.10 Mueller, Greg (October 10, 2005). "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness Review". https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-review/1900-6135415/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 5.5 (PDF) Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Instruction Booklet. Nintendo of America. 2005. https://datassette.s3.us-west-004.backblazeb2.com/manuais/pokemon_xd_-_gale_of_darkness_usa.pdf. Retrieved July 27, 2026. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Graves, Robert (October 4, 2005). "150 Million Sold. $15 Billion in Retail Sales.". Nintendo press release. https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/10836/150-million-sold-15-billion-in-retail-sales. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Casamassina, Matt (March 9, 2005). "GDC 2005: Reggie Talks Revolution". http://cube.ign.com/articles/594/594834p2.html. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Bloodworth, Daniel (May 18, 2005). "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness Hands-on Preview". https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/hands-on-preview/3235/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-gamecube. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Massimilla, Bethany (May 20, 2005). "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness E3 2005 Hands-On Impressions". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-e3-2005-hands-on-impressions/1100-6126211/. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 Niizumi, Hirohiko (May 17, 2005). "Dark Pokémon coming to GameCube". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dark-pokymon-coming-to-gamecube/1100-6124826/. 
  11. ↑ 11.00 11.01 11.02 11.03 11.04 11.05 11.06 11.07 11.08 11.09 11.10 11.11 11.12 Hogwood, James (2005). Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness: Prima Official Game Guide. Roseville, California: Prima Games. ISBN 978-0-7615-5190-4. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness". https://www.metacritic.com/game/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness/critic-reviews/?platform=gamecube. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Harris, Craig (October 6, 2005). "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness". https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/10/06/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Theobald, Phil (October 11, 2005). "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness". http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/pokemon-gamecube/657754p1.html. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Consolidated Financial Statements". Nintendo Co. Ltd.. https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2006/060525e.pdf. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 "Ready Orre not—here comes the next update for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack members!". March 17, 2026. https://www.nintendo.com/us/whatsnew/ready-orre-not-here-comes-the-next-update-for-nintendo-switch-online-expansion-pack-members/. 
  17. ↑ Romano, Sal (March 18, 2026). "Nintendo GameCube – Nintendo Classics adds Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness". https://www.gematsu.com/2026/03/nintendo-gamecube-nintendo-classics-adds-pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 Love, Ben (May 26, 2026). "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness". https://www.rpgfan.com/review/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 Torres, Ricardo; Massimilla, Bethany (August 9, 2005). "Pokémon XD Import Hands-On". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokymon-xd-import-hands-on/1100-6130641/. 
  20. ↑ "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness GameCube Video Game Review". http://www.kidzworld.com/article/6078-pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-gamecube-video-game-review. 
  21. ↑ "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness credits". https://www.mobygames.com/game/19895/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness/credits/gamecube/. 
  22. ↑ "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness". August 22, 2005. https://www.classification.gov.au/titles/pokemon-xd-gale-darkness. 
  23. ↑ Sklens, Mike (May 13, 2005). "Nintendo Launches Japanese Website for Pokemon XD". https://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/10544/nintendo-launches-japanese-website-for-pokemon-xd. 
  24. ↑ Nintendo. Interactive Multi-Game Demo Disc Version 31. GameCube. Nintendo. 
  25. ↑ "Pokémon Rocks America 2005". August 9, 2005. https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/press-release/2005-08-09/pokemon-rocks-america-2005. 
  26. ↑ Surette, Tim (July 12, 2005). "Pokemon preorders get skin for 'Cube". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/pokemon-preorders-get-skin-for-cube/1100-6128921/. 
  27. ↑ Sinclair, Brendan (October 13, 2005). "Nintendo bundles up again". https://www.gamespot.com/articles/nintendo-bundles-up-again/1100-6135710/. 
  28. ↑ Wood, Dashiell (February 27, 2026). "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is finally coming to Nintendo Switch Online next month, but there's no sign of prequel Colosseum just yet". https://www.gamesradar.com/games/pokemon/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-is-finally-coming-to-nintendo-switch-online-next-month-but-theres-no-sign-of-prequel-colosseum-just-yet/. 
  29. ↑ "Error: no |title= specified when using {{Cite web}}" (in ja). March 18, 2026. https://www.nintendo.com/jp/topics/article/e4c9fe16-204c-40cc-b1ca-fe6582e92d4f. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness for GameCube". GameRankings. http://www.gamerankings.com/gamecube/925945-pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness/index.html. 
  31. ↑ Sheppard, Chris (November 2005). "Quite a Catch". Nintendo Power (197): 102. https://archive.org/details/nintendo-power-issue-197-november-2005/page/102/mode/2up. 
  32. ↑ "Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness Review". June 23, 2007. http://www.gamesradar.com/pokemon-xd-gale-of-darkness-review/. 
  33. ↑ "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness". Game Informer (151): 193. November 2005. 
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 Davies, Jonti (October 2005). "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness NGC Review". NGC Magazine (111). 
  35. ↑ Vassar, Darryl (October 27, 2005). "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness G4 Review". http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52893/Pokmon_XD_Gale_of_Darkness_Review.html. 
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 36.3 36.4 Coxall, Martin (December 5, 2005). "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Review". http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=62011. 
  37. ↑ 37.0 37.1 Theobald, Phil (October 11, 2005). "GameSpy: Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness Review". http://cube.gamespy.com/gamecube/pokemon-gamecube/657754p2.html. 
  38. ↑ Retronauts Live 3 - A Super-Effective Pokemon Talk. 1UP Network. Retrieved May 25, 2023 – via Internet Archive.
  39. ↑ Strafe Maru (November 2, 2005). "Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness". GamePro. http://www.gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/49581.shtml. Retrieved February 12, 2021. 

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